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Friday, January 29, 2021

Mat Kearney's album 'January Flower' set for May

Nashville-based, Oregon-born singer songwriter and producer Mat Kearney has announced his new album January Flower, set for release on May 21 via Tomorrow Music/Caroline.

The album is available for pre-orders and pre-saves now. It was written between an isolated retreat in Joshua Tree with old friend Marshall Roeman and songwriter Eli Teplin and his home studio in Nashville with longtime collaborator Robert Marvin (who also helmed Kearney’s breakout Nothing Left To Lose and 2011’s chart-topping Young Love).

“It was about digging down and finding the innocence that comes with wanting to make music solely for the love and passion of doing it,” he says. “I wanted to stay true to that voice.”

The opener, “Powerless,” is available to stream or purchase via your preferred listening service. “Powerless” came from those early session in Joshua Tree, with Kearney considering what it means to lose power – both literally and figuratively – and embracing the feeling of your life being pleasantly out of control.

“That mirrors our experience in life,” he notes. “We have all these grand plans and then something else happens and it can become even better than you planned.”

“Powerless” is joined on January Flower by previously released singles “Can’t Look Back” and “Grand Canyon,” both released in the fall. The new LP follows Kearney’s 2018 album, CRAZYTALK, which debuted at #1 on iTunes.

Thanks to a touring history, which includes treks with artists like John Mayer, Sheryl Crow and NEEDTOBREATHE, dozens of synchs on shows like Grey's Anatomy, on performances on TODAY Show, Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and more, Kearney has amassed 2.5 billion streams over his career and over 1.6 million albums sold.

David Bowie news

Parlophone Records has announced further details for DAVID BOWIE BRILLIANT LIVE ADVENTURES, a series of six live albums from the 1990s which will be released on vinyl and CD as limited one-run only pressings.

There will also be special limited edition boxes for both vinyl and CD to house the full collection. The albums and boxes will be available only via the David Bowie official store and the Rhino.com store. Each release is numbered 1 to 6 respectively on the CD and LP sleeve's spines.

The fourth in the series to be released on February 12 on double CD and triple vinyl, is LOOK AT THE MOON! (LIVE PHOENIX FESTIVAL 97). Recorded live at The Phoenix Festival, Long Marston, England on July 20, 1997, LOOK AT THE MOON! features previously unreleased rarities as a cover of Laurie Anderson’s “O Superman,” which the band had also played at their secret show as 'The Tao Jones Index’ at the festival the previous day.

LOOK AT THE MOON! by David Bowie; David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone, Zachary Alford - drums, Gail Ann Dorsey - bass, vocals, lead vocal on “O Superman,” keyboards, Reeves Gabrels – guitars, synthesizers, vocals, musical director, Mike Garson – piano, keyboards, synthesizers.

TRACKLISTING:

CD 1
“Quicksand” (David Bowie)
“The Man Who Sold the World” (David Bowie)
“Driftin’ Blues” (Charles Brown/Eddie Williams/Johnny Moore)/The Jean Genie (David Bowie)
"I'm Afraid of Americans” (David Bowie/Brian Eno)
“Battle for Britain” (The Letter) (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels/Mark Plati)
“Fashion” (David Bowie)
“Seven Years in Tibet” (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels)
“Fame” (David Bowie/Carlos Alomar /John Lennon)
“Looking for Satellites” (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels/Mark Plati)
“Under Pressure” (David Bowie/Freddie Mercury/Roger Taylor/John Deacon/Brian May)

CD 2
“The Hearts Filthy Lesson” (David Bowie/Brian Eno/Michael Garson/Sterling Campbell/Erdal Kizilcay/Reeves Gabrels)
“Scary Monsters” (and Super Creeps) (David Bowie)
“Hallo Spaceboy” (David Bowie/Brian Eno)
“Little Wonder” (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels/Mark Plati)
“Dead Man Walking” (David Bowie/Reeves Gabrels)
“White Light/White Heat” (Lou Reed)
“O Superman” (Laurie Anderson)
“Stay” (David Bowie)

Bonnie Tyler set to return with 'The Best is Yet to Come'

Veteran Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, known for such hits as "Total Eclipse of the Heart," "
Holding Out For A Hero" and "It's a Heartache," is set to release a new album, THE BEST IS YET TO COME, on Feb. 26 via earMUSIC, distributed by BFD (Bob Frank Distribution)/The Orchard in North America.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME was orchestrated by longtime collaborator David Mackay (Cliff Richard, Dusty Springfield) and will be available as a physical CD and as a digital album. The first single and corresponding lyric video, “When The Lights Go Down,” can be viewed here.

Comprising 12 tracks, the album finds Tyler again working with longtime producer David Mackay. 

She says, "I have been anxious to sing for you all for the past 10 long and scary months. I realize some of you have suffered from the virus and loss of family and friends and my heart aches for you. Music can lighten our load and is always my personal retreat. I hope these new songs will lift your spirits. I am so happy and proud of this new album. It simply rocks and brings a smile to my face every time I put it on. The moment we can get back on stage and see your smiling faces will be extra special. I promise the best IS yet to come."

With a career spanning over five decades, Tyler has sold upwards of 100 million records and has been nominated for several Grammy and Brit Awards. She has released 25 albums, with the most recent being 2019’s BETWEEN THE EARTH AND STARS, which boasted contributions from such major stars as Rod Stewart, Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees, Cliff Richard and Francis Rossi of Status Quo. The album was her highest charting in Europe in over 30 years.

Tracklist:

1. The Best Is Yet to Come
2. Dreams Are Not Enough
3. Hungry Hearts
4. Stuck to My Guns
5. When the Lights Go Down
6. Stronger Than a Man
7. I’m Not in Love
8. Somebody’s Hero
9. Call Me Thunder
10. I’m Only Guilty (Of Loving You)
11. You’re the One
12. Catch the Wind

Pre-Order The Best Is Yet to Come here: https://bonnietyler.lnk.to/TheBestIsYetToCome
Pre-Save the single “When the Lights Go Down” here: https://bonnietyler.lnk.to/WhenTheLightsGoDown

Newly expanded digital editions of three Jacksons albums on the way next month

Epic Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release expanded digital editions of the classic albums recorded by The Jacksons as they built on their Jackson 5 boy band origins and emerged as avatars of an R&B/pop revolution.

Coming Friday, February 12, the first wave in The Jacksons definitive album project includes expanded digital releases of The Jacksons (1976), Goin' Places (1977), and Destiny (1978). Each title includes the original album in its entirety, bundled with additional bonus tracks.

Pre-order available here:


A 2LP vinyl edition of The Jacksons Live! (recorded during their 1981 North American Triumph Tour) will be released on March 26 and may be pre-ordered here.

Originally released in 1976 on Epic Records/Philadelphia International Records (PIR), The Jacksons was the group's first studio album recorded with youngest brother Randy. It was also their first for their new label and their first under "The Jacksons" moniker. Produced/executive produced by PIR's legendary hitmakers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, The Jacksons generated "Enjoy Yourself" (the first Gamble-Huff-penned Top 10 hit in two years), "Show You the Way to Go," the group's first UK #1, and "Good Times."

For the first time, The Jacksons were able to write and record their own material for an album and the results included "Style of Life," penned by Michael and Tito, and "Blues Away," the first published song written solely by Michael. These also became the first two recordings on which the Jacksons served as producers. The Jacksons reached #36 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on the R&B charts and became the first album by The Jacksons to be certified RIAA Gold.

The expanded digital version of The Jacksons includes the original album plus four bonus tracks: "Enjoy Yourself" (7" Extended Version); "Enjoy Yourself" (12" Version); "Show You the Way to Go" (7" Version); and "Living Together" (Dimitri From Paris Disco Re-Edit).

Released in October 1977, Goin' Places was The Jacksons’ second and final album released under the Epic Records/PIR joint venture. The album premiered two new songs written by The Jacksons: "Do What You Wanna" and the disco dance floor hit "Different Kind of Lady." Goin' Places has sold more than half a million units worldwide. The Jacksons took the album on the road on a successful tour running from late-January through mid-May 1978.

The expanded digital edition of Goin' Places includes the full original album plus three bonus tracks: "Goin' Places" (7" Version); "Find Me a Girl" (7" Version); and "Even Though You're Gone" (7" Version).

Originally released by Epic Records in December 1978, Destiny, the third studio album under The Jacksons' banner, was recorded at their home studio at their Hayvenhurst family compound and at Dawnbreaker Studios in San Fernando, California. For the first time in their career, The Jacksons produced the entire album on their own, giving them complete artistic control over the repertoire, writing, recording and production of the album. The Jacksons finished recording the collection within a couple of months. With the exception of "Blame It on The Boogie," every song on this album was written by the Jacksons, including the smash hit, “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground”) written by Michael and younger brother, Randy.

Destiny lived up to its name, cementing The Jacksons as one of the world's top-selling ensembles. Released in October 1978, "Blame It on the Boogie," the album's advance single, hit #8 in the UK while bringing The Jacksons back into the Hot 100 (#11) stateside and reaching #3 on the Hot R&B chart. The album's second single, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" hit the Top 10 with Destiny reaching #3 on the Billboard Black Albums chart and #11 on the Pop Albums chart. Destiny is the first album by The Jacksons to achieve RIAA Platinum status and has sold more than four million copies worldwide. The Jacksons Destiny Tour was an international sensation.

The expanded digital edition of Destiny includes the original album in its entirety as well as six bonus tracks: "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground" (7" Version); "Destiny" (7" Version); "Blame It On the Boogie" (12" Version John Luongo Disco Mix); "Shake Your Body (Down To the Ground)" (12" Version John Luongo Disco Mix); "That's What You Get (For Being Polite) (12" Version); and "That's What You Get (For Being Polite)" (DJ Reverend P Edit).

The Jacksons archival photo by Gregg Cobarr, courtesy Legacy Recordings

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Sara Watkins' childrens album slated for March

Sara Watkins of the Grammy-winning groups Nickel Creek and I’m With Her, as well as The Watkins Family Hour will release Under the Pepper Tree on March 26th via New West Records.

The 15-song set was produced by Tyler Chester (Sara Bareilles) and is the follow up to her critically acclaimed 2016 solo album Young In All The Wrong Ways. Created with families in mind, the personal project encompasses songs Sara embraced as a child herself and brings storytelling, solace, and encouragement to the listener, no matter the age.

In addition to original songs, the album includes Sara’s renditions of “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, The Beatles’ “Good Night,” “Moon River” (originally sung by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s), and more.

Under the Pepper Tree also reunites Sara’s Nickel Creek bandmates Chris Thile and her brother Sean on “Blue Shadows on the Trail” (from the 1986 comedy The Three Amigos), Sara’s I’m With Her bandmates Sarah Jarosz & Aoife O’Donovan on “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” (originally performed by Roy Rogers & Sons of the Pioneers), Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes on Harry Nilsson’s “Blanket for a Sail,” David Garza on Roy Orbison’s “Beautiful Dreamer,” and Sara’s now three-year old daughter on her rendition of The Sound of Music’s “Edelweiss.”

The video for “Pure Imagination” brings the album’s artwork created by Adam Sniezek to life and can be seen HERE.

Sara admits that she initially felt conflicted about making a children’s record until she realized that perhaps this album could impact a young listener in the same manner as the music from her own childhood affected her.

“I want this album to be a place of calm, imagination, and relief,” Sara says. “Some days are perfect and things are a dream and make you feel like a superhero. And some days are just… such a challenge. I feel like this record has a place in both of those days, and I really hope that these recordings find a place in kids’ hearts, and become as special as they are to me.”

Sara sequenced the album’s 15 songs with the vinyl listening experience in mind. After forming the track listing of Side A and Side B, she then crafted transitions between the songs, making each half of the album seamlessly glide by.

Sara says, “Although this album can certainly be enjoyed by listening all the way through, very early on in the planning I began thinking of it as something to be taken one side at a time. I imagine someone dropping the needle on side A one night, and side B the next.”

Under the Pepper Tree also features a vinyl package where children can interact with the record in a deeper way. The idea stemmed from the vintage vinyl releases she’s collected for her daughter.

“You find some that are really beautiful, and there are some Winnie the Pooh albums that we listen to on a daily basis, not just because of what they sound like, but because of what they look like,” she says. “My daughter will look at the book while I put on the record. The pages don’t tell everything that’s in the song, but that doesn’t matter because sometimes she’s more looking and sometimes she’s more listening. It’s all there, it’s all connected. I want kids to experience my record that way, with all of those senses.”

Under the Pepper Tree will be available across digital platforms, on compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited to 1,500 Neon Pink with Metallic Silver Vinyl Edition will be available at Independent Retailers worldwide, while a limited to 500 Translucent Blue Vinyl Edition will be available directly via New West Records. Under the Pepper Tree is available for pre-order NOW via New West Records.

Track Listing:

1. Pure Imagination
2. The Second Star to the Right
3. Blue Shadows on the Trail (featuring Nickel Creek)
4. Edelweiss
5. Moon River
6. Under the Pepper Tree
7. When You Wish Upon A Star
8. Night Singing
9. La La Lu
10. Tumbling Tumbleweeds (featuring I’m With Her)
11. Blanket for a Sail
12. Beautiful Dreamer
13. Stay Awake
14. You’ll Never Walk Alone
15. Good Night

www.SaraWatkins.com
www.NewWestRecords.com

The Alarm's next release to be quickly recorded, instantly available to fans in late February

The Alarm’s upcoming album ‘War’ has to be completed by Feb. 24 in order to be serviced around the world at midnight on Feb. 25/26 via the world’s digital music suppliers.

In order to combat production times and to have physical product available immediately, the band is advance-releasing the album (without music) in a special CD-Rom format. Fans will then burn their own copy of the finished record. The album’s writing and recording creative process commenced on Jan. 7, but the band promises finished tracks will be sent electronically to fans once the final mix and mastering process has taken place.

‘War’ is also available to pre-order as a hand-cut vinyl LP which will be released to fans on Feb. 25 (Alarm lead vocalist/guitarist Mike Peters' birthday).

Mike, The Alarm and producer George Williams, are currently writing and recording the record from scratch using their own isolation studios. Mike’s wife, Jules Jones Peters has been documenting the recording process, sharing regular videos online at www.thealarm.com

“The record is really starting to take shape”, says band frontman Mike. “The responsive nature of the writing and recording situation has given rise to some radical thinking on how to instantly release the album into the modern world and also across all the major formats - stream, download, CD and LP.”

To release the album on vinyl, a specialist cutting house has been engaged to hand cut as many pre-ordered vinyl copies as possible, once the final master has been cut in Los Angeles by the Howie Weinberg (The Alarm’s 2019 album ∑ Sigma, which entered the UK Rock Chart at No.1).

The digital edition of ‘War’ is being distributed internationally by InGrooves who have already paved the way for this groundbreaking release to appear on all digital service provider platforms on Feb. 26.

As the artwork has been created in advance, each CD/LP will also have the album title and band logo painted onto the cover by Mike Peters personally, with the tracklisting left intentionally blank so that fans can write in the song titles themselves, once they receive the completed work.

"I really want the fans to have access to this album as soon as it’s finished”, continues Mike. “We have set ourselves a very tight deadline, and the music is already being created out in the open for all to see and hear. The technology is there so that fans who still have access to a CD burner and wish to get involved in the spirit of the project can do so by interacting with the creative process and play their own part in bringing this new Alarm album into the world.”

The Alarm – ‘War’ is available to order/pre-save now exclusively via www.thealarm.com

Out now: 311's 'Mardi Gras 2020' home video concert packages


'Mardi Gras 2020,' out now via Cleopatra Records, marks the 311's 30-year anniversary and is their first ever concert film to be released on high-definition video and made available on Blu-ray along with the standard definition DVD and audio CD.

Still comprising all original members - vocalist Nick Hexum, DJ SA Martinez, drummer Chad Sexton, guitarist Tim Mahoney and bassist P-Nut - the band played New Orleans’ Fillmore. The action was captured on film utilizing 14 - 4k multi cameras interspersed with scenes of Mardi Gras. It was produced in Stereo and 5.1 Surround. The concert is also being released in a special limited edition double LP orange vinyl set packaged in a gatefold jacket with photos from the concert.




Track List:

1. Beautiful Disaster
2. All Mixed Up
3. Silver
4. Come Original
5. Gap
6. What The?!
7. Don't Stay Home
8. Stainless
9. Do You Right
10. Purpose
11. Good Feeling
12. Beyond The Gray Sky
13. Better Space
14. Applied Science
15. Don't You Worry
16. You Wouldn't Believe
17. Hydroponic
18. Amber
19. Sick Tight
20. Creatures
21. Down

Cheap Trick news

Cheap Trick just announced the premiere of new single. “Light Up The Fire,” which is available now at all DSPs and streaming services. The song heralds Cheap Trick’s 20th studio album, IN ANOTHER WORLD, arriving via BMG on Friday, April 9 digitally as well as on standard black vinyl and CD.

Limited edition blue and white splattered vinyl will be available at independent record stores nationwide. In addition, a limited edition picture disc will be available exclusively via Target. Pre-orders are available now, with all pre-orders joined by an instant grat download of “Light Up The Fire.”

LISTEN TO “LIGHT UP THE FIRE”
PRE-ORDER IN ANOTHER WORLD

Produced by longtime associate Julian Raymond, IN ANOTHER WORLD marks Cheap Trick’s first new LP since 2017’s WE’RE ALL ALRIGHT! and CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS. There is a rendition of John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth,” originally released for Record Store Day Black Friday 2019 and featuring the guitar sound of Sex Pistol Steve Jones. 

Cheap Trick - Zander, Nielsen, Petersson along with drummer Daxx Nielsen plan to play live as soon as they can, including North American and U.K. tour dates – for updates and pre-sale information, please visit www.cheaptrick.com/tour-dates.html.

“This band is held together by music,” says Robin Zander. “It’s the super glue that keeps us writing and putting records out. The reason we started the band in the first place was to tour and write songs and put records out. If all that went away, there would be no point then, would there?”

Track List:

Here Comes the Summer
Quit Waking Me Up
Another World
Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll
The Party
Final Days
So It Goes
Light Up the Fire
Passing Through
Here’s Looking At You
Another World reprise
I’ll See You Again
Gimme Some Truth

Monday, January 25, 2021

NAMM Believe in Music Week '21 wrap up pt. 3

Here are more stats and happenings from last week courtesy of a NAMM press release...

A convergence of 93,226 industry leaders, buyers, sellers, music educators, artists, media and music makers from 187 countries and territories gathered this past week to take part in NAMM's Believe in Music week, the online, global gathering to unify and support the people who bring music to the world.

The event, which spanned Monday, January 18 – Friday, January 22, saw industry professionals virtually convene in 983 special sessions and events, engage with 611 hours of live-streamed and programmed content, which included nearly 200 education, training and professional development sessions presented by 391 speakers, and experience new products from 1,227 participating brands in the Marketplace.

“While we knew we could not truly replicate The NAMM Show, we felt that this unprecedented time made it even more important for us to gather the global industry with a Marketplace to launch new products, provide an extraordinary education campus and to bring everyone together as a community to promote music and to set the stage for industry recovery and growth,” said Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO. ‘What surprised me the most was the incredible amount of quality content that was created by NAMM and our members for Believe Week and the fact that we might have inadvertently just created the best music social network out there.”

Chris Martin, NAMM Chair and CEO of Martin Guitar, said, “As you may have heard, the guitar business is pretty good despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. While some of us are doing ok, other members of our association and the communities they serve to continue to struggle. Believe in Music week served to help those in need while benefitting the industry at-large with education and the opportunities to connect.”

With its mission to support the people who bring music to the world, generous members and participants raised or pledged nearly $500,000 in matched funds for 12 nonprofit beneficiary organizations as well as other NAMM Foundation charities that work to advance access to music-making. The idea for the matching campaign was conceived and led by NAMM Chair and CEO of Martin Guitars, Chris Martin.

After witnessing the devastating impact of COVID-19 across the industry, Chris and Diane Martin offered a personal donation of $100,000 to kick-off the giveback campaign and matching program. Industry leaders who donated include Joe Castronovo, Korg USA; JC Curleigh, Gibson; David Kalt; Chris Lombardi, Drum Workshop; Joel Menchey, Menchey Music Service; Tom Sumner, Yamaha; Chuck Surack, Sweetwater; Chris White, White House of Music; and Andy Zildjian, Sabian; and others, as the donations continued to come in in the days after Believe week. Read the release here.

On the opening day of Believe TV, Fred and Dinah Gretsch, the Gretsch Company and Jerry Ash and the Ash Family also announced the creation of the Bernice Ash Memorial Scholarship Fund in The NAMM Foundation.

The event took place on the Swapcard platform and created a social network of industry activity from members found across the globe to network, learn and be inspired. At press time, 33,379 international registrants - from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe - representing over 187 countries and territories - attended.

“The Yamaha team put a ton of effort into bringing our dealers and customers a great experience at Believe in Music week. Our team members met with hundreds of our dealers and many of them noted they were the best meetings they have ever had—either in person or virtual. And tens of thousands of customers dug into the content we presented in our 11 virtual booths,” shared Tom Sumner, President of Yamaha Corporation of America. "'The Sound of Us' (film) was a moving experience for anyone that plays or just loves music. The Yamaha team was really pleased with this virtual version of our most important event of the year.”

“As they say in the music business, ‘the show must go on’ even if it means trying something completely different,” said James “JC” Curleigh, President and CEO of Gibson Brands. “The team at NAMM truly demonstrated the right balance of professionalism, passion, and perseverance for virtual NAMM 2021. We all Believe in Music.”

At the Marketplace, the latest technologies and gear were presented across brand experience pages, showcasing brand stories and information, along with special events. At press time, 768 brand events were held throughout the week.

Three main TV stations, Believe, Artist, and Gear TV, offered live interviews, new gear features and special performances. On Thursday and Friday, Believe TV served as the main hub of activity and featured the likes of Lamond and co-host Herb Trawick (Pensado’s Place) for two full days of industry updates, interviews with "Unsung Heroes," and a series of special events.

Each morning began from the live anchor desk at Gnarlywood Studios in Carlsbad, California, featuring live interviews with multi-platinum, GRAMMY® award winners Garth Brooks and Melissa Etheridge as the recipients of 2021's "Music for Life" award. 

On Friday morning, Gibson Brands President and CEO James “JC” Curleigh shared his thoughts on the state of the industry and a rising generation of new creators and players, and ways to connect.

After, Melissa Etheridge joined Lamond and Trawick for a live interview on her career, the pandemic, and pivoting to her online platform, Etheridge TV. Following the interview and performance, a special Martin Guitars Jam in Place featured a performance from guitarist John Mayer.

Brooks and Etheridge joined other artists at Believe week, including Glen Ballard; Jackson Browne; Chick Corea; deadmau5; Nathan East; Lzzy Hale; Orianthi; Patrice Rushen; Billy Bob Thornton; Diane Warren; and more. Legendary composer Mel Brooks, presented by Hal Leonard, shared the story behind some of his most memorable compositions; Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, presented by Roland, discussed the intersection of the artist and product relationship; and keys legends Herbie Hancock, Greg Phillinganes, James Poyser, Terrace Martin, and Robert Glasper joined Korg to discuss their approach to making music.

Education to Meet the Challenges of Today and the Opportunities of Tomorrow
With industry experts participating in Believe week, members had the opportunity to connect with thought leaders through nearly 200 education sessions designed to engage, inform and inspire new ideas, as well as to further careers and prepare for the future.

Business for the New Future 

The NAMM U Business Track brought together top minds to offer actionable strategies, tactics, and best practices for music retailers and brands to navigate to the next level. 

Audio Production and Technology Track 

Sessions for recording, live sound, house of worship professionals, and music technologists dove into the latest tools, tips, and innovations while also exploring the landscape of new technology. Programs included TEC Tracks, which offered big-picture sessions and high-profile topics in recording, live sound, and music business, featuring industry thought leaders.

Highlights included interviews with top producers, engineers, and artists, including Dave Cobb, Craig Bauer, John Boylan, Suzanne Ciani, and Peter Asher, and live streaming and remote music production tips sessions for audio professionals. 

Entertainment Technology Track

A suite of sessions curated by ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association), along with Pro Production Sessions presented by Front of House and Projection Lights & Staging News magazines, and Lighting&Sound America/PLASA, offered entertainment technology professionals a range of knowledge and credit opportunities.

Artist Track 

For emerging and established artists, songwriters, and studio musicians, the Artist track covered the new music industry landscape and tips for success. Presenters included Suzanne Ciani, Russ Kunkel, and Leland Sklar, and just a few topics included getting on a streaming playlist, making a living in the new music industry, looping techniques and music release strategies for a streaming world.

The NAMM Foundation Track 

Music and arts advocates, nonprofit management, and music education professionals joined in 53 sessions and special events from The NAMM Foundation track. The programming included GenNext, a collaboration between The Foundation and The College Music Society (CMS), which offered college-aged students and faculty access to career and professional development opportunities; Music Education Days for school music teachers and administrators to preview the latest instruments, products, and tools relevant to today's changing music classrooms; Music and Social Justice to discuss diversity and inclusion, and the role of music; Music and Wellness, to explore better living through music for lifelong learners seeking health enrichment; and the Nonprofit Management Institute to provide music nonprofits resources to grow and succeed.

Notable Believe in Music Moments

Wednesday, January 20, kicked off with a 12-hour long Global Livestream. It began with 11-time Australian Blues Music award-winner and "Oz Roots & Blues Icon" Lloyd Spiegel and made its way around-the-globe featuring the likes of Brass for Africa, an Uganda-based music charity that delivers music education with integrated life-skills training to over 1,000 young people in Uganda, Liberia and Rwanda; NEEDSHES, a Moscow-based alt-rock band from Uzbekistan; veteran Filipino alt-rock band Mayonnaise; Lithuanian pop sensation and actress Jurga; Turkish jazz guitarist Cem Tuncer; Spain's flamenco-inspired singer-songwriter El Kanka; Peru's emerging hip hop artist A.C.O.; acclaimed New York jazz and classical pianist and composer, Dan Tepfer; and North Carolina's guitar sorceress Christie Lenée, among others.

On Thursday morning, 15 Taylor Guitars artists, including Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Keith Goodwin (Good Old War), and Taylor's own Andy Powers, performed "I Know What Love Is," an anthem inspired by the COVID pandemic. The performance, which included a small and socially-distanced audience, marked the global debut of the new song, which features 50 artists including Zac Brown, Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall and others, with all proceeds from sales of the single benefiting MusiCares.

Also on Thursday, pianists joined together for a global celebration unlike any other at Worldful of Pianos. The event, held in an online video environment, featured five luminaries streamed live from the Steinway & Sons Piano Factory in New York. In total, 110 pianists from Canada, France, Greece, Haiti, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, St. Maarten, Tunisia, United Kingdom, and the United States participated by downloading Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca, enabling them to play along with the ensemble during the live event.

On Friday, the celebratory gathering of The Grand Rally for Music Education was held. The annual event welcomed world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming, in conversation with music researcher Dr. Nina Kraus of Northwestern University; and Gustavo Dudamel, artistic and music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in conversation with Liliana Morales, an alumna of YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), Maestro Dudamel's El Sistema-inspired education program. As part of two interview segments, Ms. Fleming and Dr. Kraus shared the vital role of music in learning for people of all ages, including updates on current research on its impact and benefits. Maestro Dudamel and Ms. Morales offered their perspectives on the importance of music during this time of the pandemic, music's role in addressing social justice and, why music education is a fundamental right for all children.

Following the celebration, Yamaha Entertainment Group debuted The Sound of Us, a documentary directed by nine-time Emmy award-winning producer and Yamaha Artist Relations Group/Yamaha Entertainment Group's chief artist relations executive Chris Gero. The film illustrates that during this critical time in history, music gives sound to hope and courage, allows us to grieve and be honest, and is the great, universal language that unites us all. The documentary featured interviews and performances with well-known artists including Ben Folds, Hiromi, Sarah McLachlan, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Antonio Sanchez, Patti Smith, Avery*Sunshine, Butch Walker, Eric Whitacre, and Will Wells.

Honoring the Industry's Leaders and Innovators

The Top 100 Awards made its move to Believe TV in a live broadcast, which saw the industry virtually gathered to celebrate the spirit of the music retailer and to applaud their accomplishments, resilience, and commitment to serving music makers.

On Friday, at the 36th TEC Awards, a 35-year retrospective was presented, and winners in 22 technical and seven creative excellence categories were announced and honored. The annual event recognizes the exemplary achievements and innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and multi-media. See the full list of winners here.

Also on Friday, the Parnelli Awards honored past award recipients in special event, “Keep the Torch Lit, 20 Years of Parnelli Awards” retrospective. The two-decade highlight reel also offered a memorial video saying goodbye to those we've lost this year, and some well-wishes and words from Parnelli Awards Executive Producer Terry Lowe, Chairman of the Board of Advisors Marshall Bissett, and TPI's Michael and Elizabeth O'Keefe.

Closing out the week, the evening featured a celebration of outstanding women in the industry at the She Rocks Awards. 

Future Outlook 

The “Best in Show” panel session displayed the biggest products and technologies in the Believe in Music Marketplace as chosen by a panel of industry gear experts.

At present, the industry looks forward to gathering in Nashville at Summer NAMM, July 15-17, 2021 at Music City Center.

Until then, band together on the Believe in Music platform, open to all until February 28, 2021.

BELIEVE IN MUSIC FACTS AT A GLANCE (At press time*)

93,226 Attendees
1,227 Brands
Nearly $500,000 in Donations Raised
33,379 International Attendees
187 Countries and Territories
768 Brand Events
611 Hours of Content
36 Hours of Livestream
983 Sessions and Events
391 Speakers

*The Believe in Music platform is accessible until 2/28

NAMM Believe In Music Week '21 wrap up pt. 2: She Rocks Awards with Nancy Wilson of Heart, the Go-Go's, Amy Lee

The ninth annual She Rocks Awards went virtual for the first time on January 22.

Presented by the Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN), the online celebration started off with a red carpet Q&A with the honorees, followed by the pre-show countdown hosted by Yahoo Entertainment music editor Lyndsey Parker, and the evening finished with this year's honorees hosted by Lzzy Hale of the rock band Halestorm: Heart's Nancy Wilson, The Go-Go’s, Cherie Currie of The Runaways, Amy Lee, Margaret Cho and others. 

Highlights included Lzzy Hale doing “Rock Show” with bandmate Joe Hottinger, Cherie Currie with special guests, Suzi Quatro, Jake Hays and Nick Gilder, on “Roxy Roller,” an exclusive intimate piano performance of a new Evanescence song “Use My Voice” by leader Amy Lee. The Go-Go’s did their impressive new single, “Club Zero” and Nancy Wilson supplied a Springsteen cover of “The Rising” with her backing band set for her next album.


The She Rocks Awards pays tribute to women who display leadership and stand out within the music industry, and has become a standard at the NAMM Show. Previous award recipients include Melissa Etheridge, Pat Benatar, Gloria Gaynor, The B-52s, Suzi Quatro, Colbie Caillat, Sheila E, Chaka Khan, Ronnie Spector, Orianthi, Lisa Loeb, The Bangles, and many more, plus a collection of role models from all walks of the music and audio industries.

Learn more about the She Rocks Awards at sherocksawards.com.

About The Women’s International Music Network (WiMN)

Founded in 2012, the Women’s International Music Network unites women who work within all facets of the music and audio industries. With theWiMN.com as its hub, the WiMN provides a community for women within the industry while enriching their careers and musical experiences through networking and sharing. The Women’s International Music Network produces the She Rocks podcast, the LIVE: Front & Center web series, WiMN She Rocks Spotlight Showcase Series and the She Rocks Awards, and is founded by music industry veteran Laura B. Whitmore. For more information, visit www.thewimn.com.

Nancy Wilson photo courtesy of She Rocks Awards

NAMM Believe in Music Week '21 wrap up part 1 featuring Garth Brooks, Melissa Etheridge, Jackson Browne, 'Urban Cowboy'





Each January since 2008, I've covered The NAMM Show for various publications. The trade show, held at Anaheim Convention Center and adjacent hotels in Southern California, is put on by the National Association of Music Merchants. It draws more than 100,000 people worldwide and is among the largest trade shows in North America.

For anyone involved or interested in music, The NAMM Show is the place to be, offering the latest technology, instruments, live performances by veteran and emerging talent, educational talks, award shows and more.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the trade show went virtual this year and was rebranded NAMM Believe in Music Week. It was free to anyone who registered online. That allowed people who normally couldn't attend in the past a rare opportunity to get a taste of what the event is all about. Typically, events are spread over four days. This time, content was posted online Monday-Friday. 

January 19

During an oral history interview with Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, the folk/rock veteran talked about coming up in the folk scene, working at the Brill Building, the formation of the band, the meanings behind a few of their hit songs, joining Bob Dylan's acclaimed Rolling Thunder Review tour and what he's doing lately. 

January 20

More than 40 music artists from 23 countries took part in a 12-hour livestream of concert performances.

Roland Keyboards presented its Sixth Annual Lifetime Achievement Award to Nick Rhodes, a founding member of Duran Duran. Various keyboardists and musicians including Giorgio Moroder, Jean-Michel Jarre, Gary Numan, Mike Garson and others offered their congratulations during a brief video. Rhodes said the Roland Jupiter 8, one of the first instruments he used in Duran Duran, was a key foundation in creating the group's signature sound.

January 21

The Thursday of NAMM is when Joe Lamond would usually preside over the first of three Breakfast Sessions in a large hotel ballroom to present the Music for Life Award and interview the recipient. So the NAMM CEO and president did it live online instead. Garth Brooks was the first of two honorees this year. The country superstar had just sung at the inauguration of President Biden and talked about how he managed to "hug four presidents in 15 seconds." When the pandemic hit and concert tours were cancelled, Brooks went whole hog on Inside Studio G, his weekly Facebook Live show that had already been running for quite awhile. 

During the chat, Brooks touched upon other ways he has been weathering the pandemic. He did a drive-in concert simulcast to theater venues across the country and more than 350,000 fans bought a ticket to watch it on a big screen from their vehicles. "It worked so well and was the first time as a nation that we had to get out," said Brooks. "We cut to drive-ins across the country and that's when it really got fun."

As for the future of live music, the Oklahoma native, enthused about the potential of combining it with virtual reality. Lamond asked about Brooks' well-known love of KISS and the singer described the legendary rockers as "genius. Forty years later with makeup and they haven't aged at all. They did teenage anthems. Now you hear them and it's like going back in time." Brooks cited other 1970s rock acts like Boston, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, Billy Joel and James Taylor as early influences. "They saved my life. They were a great foundation. [Then I discovered] George Strait, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs."

One of beautiful things about live music, Brooks said, is how shows are "full of mistakes and all. The mistakes make it real. That's what makes it" special for the fans. Whenever he gets back onstage, the proceedings will be treated like most of his past shows: "The first time could be the last, so leave it all on the stage."

Jackson Browne was interviewed by Thom Duffy of Billboard Magazine. Browne discussed what it was like growing up in Highland Park, Calif. and how he was exposed to a variety of different cultures - especially Latin music. Browne is featured in the recent acclaimed documentary Linda and the Mockingbirds and raved about Linda Ronstadt's memoir. He recalled how making a connection with Native American poet/activist/musician had a major impact. 

After Duffy asked about the making of classic album "Running on Empty," Browne remarked that recording it on his tour bus, backstage and in hotel rooms was innovative for the late 1970s because 24 tracks were used and praised engineer Greg Ladanyi's efforts with EQ levels, etc. 

Later, Browne remarked how politics and the world intertwined with his writing, a 2016 trip to Haiti to donate instruments to a music school, his successful career ("I've always been disconnected from commerce. My success was down to good luck") and the songwriting process then and now ("It was never easy and still isn't...I'm still trying to resolve something for myself").

January 22

Melissa Etheridge was another Music for Life honoree. Lamond asked how her Etheridge TV project launched. In the early part of the pandemic, she recalled doing Facebook Live performances free for fans, but when it was clear touring wasn't happening the near future, she needed to find a way to monetize things. Since Etheridge's wife Linda works in TV, she helped her set up a home TV studio and they came up with a subscription model. There are performances several times a week, fans chats and more.

Even when concerts eventually return, the singer/guitarist said she still wants to incorporate livestreaming. Through social media and the ETV, "we've reached fans around the world who are seeing me for the first time." Etheridge admitted to having learned a lot about online broadcasts since last year.

On the infamous Janis Joplin Tribute at the 2005 Grammy telecast, where Etheridge appeared with shaved head while going through breast cancer treatments: "I walked onstage and there was such a warm reception unlike anything I've experienced. One of the top performances I ever did." Then Etheridge concluded the chat by playing some of "Come to My Window." 

Another interesting video interview was with John Boylan on producing the massively successful soundtrack to the 1980 film "Urban Cowboy" with country, pop or adult contemporary hits by Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray, Boz Scaggs and Joe Walsh.

Among the tidbits:

Many songs were already recorded from different analog sources, in different years, with different producers. "We labored over the sequence of the (18 track double album) mightily...and worked hard on the flow. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done."

"There was so much music in that movie," filmed at Gilley's in Pasadena, Texas, "that even two albums couldn't cover it all."

Director James Bridges "was very 'hands on' with the music...and (executive producer) "Irvine Azoff brought a lot of his acts on board."

Even without being at The NAMM Show in person this year, there was plenty of online content during Believe in Music week to keep me interested. In fact, just like at the regular convention, there wasn't enough time to see everything that I wanted.

Fortunately, most content will be available on demand through February for free to registrants via www.attend.believeinmusic.tv

Friday, January 22, 2021

Eric Church has a bunch of new music on the way


Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Eric Church just confirmed that he has three albums coming out in April. 

"They came out of my 28 days in the mountains of North Carolina, where the songs were recorded and written. The collection is entitled Heart & Soul.”

In keeping with his longtime commitment to put fans first, Church created the middle album, &, specifically for the Church Choir and will make it available exclusively to those fans and only as a vinyl record on Tuesday, April 20. The other two albums, Heart and Soul, will be available everywhere on Friday, April 16 and Friday, April 23, respectively. Pre-orders for all three albums begin next Friday, January 29.

Along with prioritizing his fans, just as important to Church is the constant desire to push the limits of his artistry, an effort that was on full display during the month-long creative process that went into the creation of this collection.

“I’ve always been intrigued when a song is born in a writer room – there is a magic that happens there,” shares Church of the unique process that went into making this project. “I wanted to put that in the studio form. So, every day, we would write a song in the morning and we would record the song that night. Doing it that way allowed for the songwriters to get involved in the studio process and the musicians to be involved in the creative process. You felt a little bit like you were secretly doing something that was special, and you knew it… You started going, ‘hmm, wait ’til the world finds out about this.’”

The final result of that inclusive process is a three-part, 24-song collection which features an elite list of songwriters who joined the secluded marathon writing and recording sessions. Also part of the recording process for the project anchored solely by Church, with no features, were his longtime producer Jay Joyce and backing vocalist Joanna Cotten, as well as his touring band who played alongside some of Nashville’s most talented studio musicians on the album.

“The interesting thing about this process is that Jay kept asking me the last three or four days, ‘Are we done?’ and at that time I didn’t know what the project was,” notes Church. “I kept saying ‘God, this is going to be really hard. There’s a lot here. Is this a double album? And if it’s a double album, how do we leave out these five or six songs?’ I am the hardest critic on making sure every song deserves to be on the record, and I beat this thing to death going ‘this can’t be that good.’ But, it was just a special, special time and a special, special project that I think will be among our best.”

During his video message to fans, Church reflected, “It’s been a long 10 months. With the power of music and love for each other, we will get through this, we will gather again soon. I cannot wait to play this music for you live.”

That belief in the unifying power of music will be on display again in the coming weeks, as Church takes to the field at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, February 7 to perform the National Anthem with R&B star Jazmine Sullivan ahead of Super Bowl LV.

Tracking listing:

Heart On Fire (Eric Church)
Heart Of The Night (Eric Church, Jeremy Spillman, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell, Travis Hill)
Russian Roulette (Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell)
People Break (Eric Church, Luke Laird)
Stick That In Your Country Song (Davis Naish, Jeffrey Steele)
Never Break Heart (Eric Church, Luke Dick)
Crazyland (Eric Church, Luke Laird, Michael Heeney)
Bunch Of Nothing (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde)
Love Shine Down (Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Jeffrey Steele)

Through My Ray-Bans (Eric Church, Luke Laird, Barry Dean)
Doing Life With Me (Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Jeffrey Steele)
Do Side (Eric Church, Casey Beathard)
Kiss Her Goodbye (Eric Church, Casey Beathard)
Mad Man (Eric Church, Casey Beathard)
Lone Wolf (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)

Rock & Roll Found Me (Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Driver Williams)
Look Good And You Know It (Eric Church, Jonathan Singleton, Travis Meadows)
Bright Side Girl (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Scotty Emerick, Clint Daniels)
Break It Kind Of Guy (Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Luke Dick)
Hell Of A View (Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell)
Where I Wanna Be (Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell)
Jenny (Eric Church)
Bad Mother Trucker (Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Luke Dick, Jeremy Spillman)
Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones (Casey Beathard)

Out now: 'Flight' by Tenant From Zero

With vocals that are often reminiscent of Bryan Ferry or Matt Berninger of The National paired and some breezy music, Flight is an enthralling listen.

Read below for more details about the album...

Earlier this week, Tenant From Zero premiered "This Can't Wait Til Later," a lyric video in the tradition of indie-pop greats The Smiths and The Go-Betweens. The song is on Tenant From Zero's debut album, Flight, which is available now on CD and download via La Bella Figura Records.


Tenant From Zero is the recording persona of Brooklyn singer-songwriter Paul Darrah. Darrah sees the project as a continuation of the proud British pop lineage of artists he has loved since his youth. “I’m drawn to singers with a sense of melancholy, romance, intelligence, and style,” he says.

Recorded in Norway, “This Can’t Wait Til Later” is propelled by a loping bassline reminiscent of The Smiths’ Andy Rourke, with shimmering guitar that evokes the classic British indiepop of the 1980s. Warm backing vocals are contributed by Estella Rosa of the band Nah. The song aches with romantic longing although it’s delivered in a breezy pop fashion.

“My friend Tim came up with the chord progression — I was inspired to start singing this upbeat vocal melody instantly,” recalls Darrah. “The lyric evolved out of a relationship that a friend of mine was having with someone who had a drinking problem. It’s not exactly an ‘up’ topic but all the elements came together in a satisfying way.”

The video for “This Can’t Wait Til Later” follows the November debut of Flight’s first lyric video, "The End Away." This latest video was edited by German musician and designer Heiko Schneider.

Musical collaborators on the Flight sessions included producer Ole Johannes Åleskjær (The Loch Ness Mouse), Gary Olson (The Ladybug Transistor), Jorge Elbrecht (Tamaryn, Violens), Joe McGinty (The Loser’s Lounge Band), Frank Navin (The Aluminum Group), and others. Darrah wrote or co-wrote each of the album’s nine tracks, as well as played synthesizer and contributed drum programming.

Track listing:

1. ZRH
2. The End Away
3. This Can’t Wait Til Later (Darrah; music by Tim Johnson & Darrah)
4. The Bomb You Dropped
5. After
6. Properly Wrecked by John
7. Perfect Words
8. Yellow and Blue (Darrah; music by Tim Motzer & Darrah)
9. Still Empty Rooms (Darrah; music by Patrick McCarthy & Darrah)

All songs by Paul Darrah except where noted
Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 produced by Ole Johannes Åleskjær and Paul Darrah
Tracks 1, 6 and 7 produced by Paul Darrah

Royal Blood news

After two UK #1 albums, over 2 million album sales and international acclaim, British rock duo Royal Blood returned hit single “Trouble’s Coming” last summer. Their first new music in three years, it netted 
20 million streams and impacted U.S. Rock and Alternative playlists where it remains in the Top 10 today. In the U.K., “Trouble’s Coming” premiered on BBC’s Annie Mac’s Hottest Record, had a nine-week run on BBC Radio 1’s A-list and topped multiple charts across several European territories.

Now, Royal Blood unveil details about third album Typhoons due April 30 via Warner Records. Available to pre-order here, it will be released on digital, vinyl and CD formats. The official Royal Blood store offers a deluxe vinyl packaged with a bonus 7” single (featuring the extra track “Space”) and an art print, and a picture disc. Amazon and select indie retailers will feature their own exclusive color vinyl editions as well.

There is also a digital release of new single and title track “Typhoons” which is released on limited edition black 7” vinyl and available to order here. Its B-side will feature an etching of a lyric from the song. Stream “Typhoons” here and here to view/share visual.

When Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher sat down to talk about making a new album, they knew what they wanted to achieve. It involved a conscious return to their roots, back when they had made music that was influenced by Daft Punk, Justice, and Philippe Zdar of Cassius. It also called for a similar back-to-basics approach to what had made their 2014 self-titled debut album so thrilling, visceral and original.

“We sort of stumbled on this sound, and it was immediately fun to play,” recalls Kerr.“That’s what sparked the creativity on the new album, the chasing of that feeling. It’s weird, though - if you think back to ‘Figure it Out,’ (from debut album) it kind of contains the embryo of this album. We realized that we didn’t have to completely destroy what we’d created so far; we just had to shift it, change it. On paper, it’s a small reinvention. But when you hear it, it sounds so fresh.”

After setting the tone with “Trouble’s Coming” and the aforementioned “Typhoons,” the album continues in breathless style with the fierce metallic grooves of “Who Needs Friends” hitting an early visceral peak. Royal Blood further reference their fresh confluence of influences by utilizing a vocoder vocal effect on “Million & One” before dynamically switching between the biggest contrasts of their sound with “Limbo.” Already a fan favorite having been a regular during the duo’s 2019 U.K. shows, “Boilermaker” lives up to its reputation and is more than matched by “Mad Visions,” which evokes a hyper-aggressive Prince influence. The album ends with a final surprise in the shape of the stark piano ballad “All We Have Is Now,” a vulnerable and revealing reminder to live in the moment.

That song’s unguarded sentiments give the album a redemptive finale. Whether directly or allusively, the album explores the flipside of success that they’ve experienced. It comes from the realization that success is much more complicated than it seems and that having the time to regain perspective is a precious commodity which becomes ever more elusive. The situation called for reflection and a change in lifestyle, which Kerr addressed during an end-of-tour trip to Las Vegas. He downed an espresso martini and declared it to be his last drink, and soon discovered that his new-found sobriety would have a positive impact upon his creativity and life as a whole.

That new approach manifested itself in the duo’s decision to produce the majority of Typhoons themselves. “Boilermaker” was produced by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, the two bands having first connected when Royal Blood supported them on their 2017/2018 North American tour. Meanwhile, the multiple Grammy Award-winner Paul Epworth produced “Who Needs Friends” and contributed additional production to “Trouble’s Coming.”

Track list:

1. Trouble’s Coming
2. Oblivion
3. Typhoons
4. Who Needs Friends
5. Million & One
6. Limbo
7. Either You Want It
8. Boilermaker
9. Mad Visions
10. Hold On
11. All We Have Is Now

Pet Shop Boys' 'Discovery: Live in Rio 1994' on the way

Pet Shop Boys announce the release on DVD and 2-CD of their Discovery: Live in Rio 1994 concert, recorded towards the end of their 1994 tour of Singapore, Australia and Latin America. The release date is April 23 via Rhino Records.

Previously only available on VHS, this is the first time that fans will be able to experience this classic concert on DVD and listen to the audio on CDs. The show was filmed by Brazilian director Roberto Berliner with a local TV crew in December 1994 on PSB’s first visit to Brazil.

The setlist includes classic hits including “West End Girls,” “Suburbia,” “Being Boring,” “Go West,” “Rent” and “Always On My Mind,” as well as surprising juxtapositions of PSB songs and contemporary hits including: “One In A Million/Mr Vain” and “Left To My Own Devices/Rhythm Of The Night.” A cover of Blur’s “Girls And Boys” is another spirited highlight of this spectacular performance.

The DVD and CDs document a show very different in feel to the two ground-breaking tours that preceded it in 1989 and 1991. Following on from the release of their albums, Very and Disco 2, Pet Shop Boys decided to focus the two-hour set largely on uplifting songs with a party vibe, taking inspiration from visits to the New York underground house club, The Sound Factory.

Chris Lowe said at the time: “We’re more free-spirited on this tour. We party on down. It’s not a totally choreographed, staged and rehearsed show. I suppose it is more rock n roll in its attitude. You get to express yourself. (Laughs). And to take your clothes off.”

Neil Tennant added: “In the past we were always removed from the audience by theatrical convention. This time we are us onstage.”

A new booklet is packaged with the DVD and CDs, featuring on-tour photographs, an interview by Chris Heath conducted during tour rehearsals, and an exclusive on-tour diary by Neil Tennant. The DVD and CDs package is available for pre-order.

DVD
Track Listing:

1. “Tonight Is Forever”
2. “I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind Of Thing”
3. “Always On My Mind”
4. “Domino Dancing”
5. “To Speak Is A Sin”
6. “One In A Million/Mr Vain”
7. “Paninaro”
8. “Rent”
9. “Suburbia”
10. “King’s Cross”
11. “So Hard”
12. “Left To My Own Devices/Rhythm Of The Night”
13. “Absolutely Fabulous”
14. “Liberation”
15. “West End Girls”
16. “Can You Forgive Her?”
17. “Girls And Boys"
18. “It’s A Sin/I Will Survive”
19. “Go West”
20. “Go West (Reprise)”
21. “Being Boring”

CD1
Track Listing:

1. “Tonight Is Forever”
2. “I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind Of Thing”
3. “Always On My Mind”
4. “Domino Dancing”
5. “To Speak Is A Sin”
6. “One In A Million/Mr Vain”
7. “Paninaro”
8. “Rent”
9. “Suburbia”
10. “King’s Cross”
11. “So hard”

CD2
Track Listing:

1. “Left To My Own Devices/Rhythm Of The Night”
2. “Absolutely Fabulous”
3. “Liberation”
4. “West End Girls”
5. “Can You Forgive Her?”
6. “Girls And Boys”
7. “It’s A Sin/I Will Survive”
8. “Go West”
9. “Go West (Reprise)”
10. “Being Boring”

NAMM - Believe in Music Week Update: Gibson Guitars' Peter Frampton news

Gibson has announced it will celebrate rock legend Peter Frampton this year with the release of the new Peter Frampton “Phenix” Les Paul Custom VOS guitar from Gibson Custom Shop. He has been a signature Gibson and Epiphone artist for over 25 years.

“My brand-new Gibson Les Paul Custom VOS is here and boy is it good,” says Frampton. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the look and sound. Gibson has gone that extra mile in every area to make this feel and sound the closest to my original, storied Phenix Les Paul Custom guitar. The neck and weight of this mahogany guitar will amaze you at how great it feels and how light it is (and it’s even a hair lighter than the Phenix). This is the real deal. Thank you, Gibson.”

Photo by Rob Arthur/Courtesy Prime PR Group


Out now: new expanded digital editions of Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On'

Motown’s “Prince Of Soul,” Marvin Gaye, was already a hit artist for nearly a decade when, in 1971, he reached new heights with his album What's Going On. An immediate landmark recording, it was the first of Gaye's albums to break the top ten of Billboard’s Top LPs, and quickly became Motown's best-selling record. To this day, What's Going On is hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time, earning the number one spot on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2020 list of “The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.”

Today, in celebration of this groundbreaking album while also marking the 50th anniversary of the title song’s release as a single, UMe will be issuing three digital collections that honor the depth of Gaye's album.

First, Motown/UMe has consolidated several What’s Going On-related releases into one new digital collection, What’s Going On: Deluxe Edition/50th Anniversary (Available HERE). This includes the original album, plus 12 bonus tracks featuring each of the LP’s original mono single versions and their B-sides, two of which are different takes – “God Is Love” and “Sad Tomorrows,” an earlier version of “Flying High (in the Friendly Sky)” – while the pre-album single version of “What’s Going On” has no “party” intro and a false fade.

Also included is the title song’s earliest mix, initially made as a reference for Motown’s in-house quality control department before horns and strings were added; a dramatic instrumental mix; a “Coffeehouse Mix” by Grammy-winning engineer Russ Elevado that emphasizes the track’s previously buried acoustic guitar, originally available on a Record Store Day exclusive 10” EP for the album’s 45th anniversary in 2016. Also included from that same 2016 release is a “What’s Going On” duet with Motown artist B.J. the Chicago Kid. Other tracks are an early working version of “Symphony,” written by Marvin with Smokey Robinson, in which Marvin sings over and over, “what’s going on?” while the song of the same name sat unreleased; and the instrumental “I Love the Ground You Walk On,” recorded during the same waiting period.

Also available as a standalone digital release, What’s Going On: The Detroit Mix (available HERE) is the album’s original hometown mix, cancelled by Marvin at the last minute to be redone in Los Angeles. While the recordings were mixed in April of 1971, they remained unreleased until 2001, when they were included in the album’s 30th Anniversary 2CD Deluxe Edition. The Detroit Mix showcases a more relaxed, stripped back and percussive feel to the album, as well as unique track segues and some additional lyrics.

In addition, UMe has released Funky Nation: The Detroit Instrumentals (Available HERE), a group of 14 tracks that Gaye recorded in late summer and fall of 1971, after the initial release of What’s Going On. Instead of touring in the wake of the album’s success, Gaye cut funk and rock jams with a one-time-only band led by Motown’s then-touring drummer Hamilton Bohannan: 17-year-old Ray Parker, Jr., Melvin Ragin, a.k.a. “Wah Wah Watson” (himself just 20) and Leroy Emmanuel of the Fabulous Counts (a relatively experienced 25-year-old) on guitars, and Michael Henderson, age 20, on bass. Gaye played keyboards and percussion. While a few tracks on Funky Nation had been issued across previous special releases, most of the tracks were newly issued on the What’s Going On 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition in 2011, and now for the first time they will be getting their own individual digital release.

Fifty years later, the influence and meaning behind this legendary record continues to ring true. The single “What’s Going On” originated as a response to police brutality at a protest in Berkeley, CA and coincided with personal tragedy in Gaye's life as well as Gaye’s brother's time fighting in Vietnam. The compounding experiences sparked the poignant plea that became the full-length LP What's Going On. Calling out to a broken country, Gaye searched for reason and hope in a world that felt desperate and senseless; a sentiment that many share now more than ever.

Marvin Gaye continues to hold his place as one of the greatest singers, composers and producers of all time, and in this half a century What's Going On has proven itself to be one of the world's most unforgettable records.

What's Going On: Deluxe Edition/50th Anniversary
Set 1: Original Album
1. What's Going On - 03:51
2. What's Happening Brother - 02:57
3. Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky) - 03:40
4. Save The Children - 03:04
5. God Is Love - 02:31
6. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - 03:05
7. Right On - 07:20
8. Wholy Holy - 03:20
9. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - 05:16

Set 2: Bonus Tracks
1. What's Going On (Mono Single Version) - 0:03:54
2. God Is Love (Single Version) - 0:02:51
3. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) (Mono Single Version) - 0:02:30
4. Sad Tomorrows (Mono Single Version) - 0:02:23
5. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (Mono Single Version) - 0:02:58
6. Wholy Holy (Mono Single Version) - 0:03:09
7. What's Going On (mix 1/no horns or strings) - 0:03:46
8. What's Going On (rhythm & strings mix) - 0:03:50
9. What's Going On (Coffeehouse Mix by Russ Elevado) - 0:03:56
10. What's Going On (duet with B.J. the Chicago Kid) - 0:05:06
11. Symphony (Demo Version) - 0:02:49
12. I Love the Ground You Walk On (instrumental) - 0:02:27

What’s Going On: The Detroit Mix
1. What's Going On - 04:07
2. What's Happening Brother - 02:43
3. Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky) - 03:48
4. Save The Children - 04:01
5. God Is Love - 01:46
6. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - 03:07
7. Right On - 07:31
8. Wholy Holy - 03:07
9. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - 05:45

Funky Nation: The Detroit Instrumentals
1. Checking Out (Double Clutch) - 04:51
2. Chained - 02:54
3. Country Stud - 01:56
4. Help the People - 02:16
5. Running from Love (Version 1) - 03:07
6. Daybreak - 02:05
7. Doing My Thing - 02:04
8. “T” Stands For Time - 02:38
9. Jesus Is Our Love Song - 03:07
10. Funky Nation - 03:02
11. Infinity - 02:39
12. Mandota - 03:25
13. Struttin’ the Blues - 03:47
14. Running from Love (Version 2 with Strings) - 05:05